CHAPTER-IV: MEDITATION
AND JAPA; PART-III
21. Once a devotee forgot how to count the
repetitions of the Mantra on his fingers. Mother
said, "What does it matter? The purpose of all this is to direct the mind
towards God."
22. "Repeating the Name of God a fixed number
of times, telling the rosary or counting on fingers, is calculated to direct
the mind to God. The natural tendency of the mind is to run this way and that
way. Through these means it is attracted to God. While repeating the name of
God, if one sees His form and becomes absorbed in Him, one's Japa stops.
One gets everything when one succeeds in meditation."
23. "While performing Japa, take the Name of
God with utmost love, sincerity, and self-surrender. Before
commencing your meditation daily, first think of your utter helplessness in
this world and then slowly begin the practice of Sadhana as directed by your
Guru."
24. "One should meditate
on one's chosen Deity as one goes on making Japa. Inmeditation the face
of the chosen Deity of course comes first; but one should meditate on the whole
figure, starting from the feet upward."
25. Disciple: "Why is it that our mind is not
absorbed in God when we repeat His Name?"
Mother: "It will come about in due course. Even if the
mind is not concentrated, do not give up the repetition of the holy Word. You
do your duty. While repeating the Name, the mind will get fixed of itself on
the ideal, like a candle flame in a place
protected from the wind. It is the wind alone that makes the flame flicker. In
the same way, our fancies and desires make our mind restless."
26. Disciple: "Mother, why is it that the mind
does not become steady? When I try to think of God, I find the mind drawn
towards other objects."
Mother: "It is wrong if the mind is drawn towards
secular objects. By 'secular objects' is meant money, family, etc. But it is
natural to think of the work in which one is engaged. If meditation is not
possible, do Japa. Realization will come through Japa. If the meditative mood
comes, well and good, but by no means do it by force."
27. Disciple: "Is it of any use to be merely
repeating His Name without intense devotion?"
Mother: "Whether you jump into water or are pushed into
it, your cloth will get drenched. Is it not so? Meditate every day, as your
mind is yet immature. Constant meditation will make the mind one-pointed.
Discriminate always between the real and the unreal. Whenever you find your
mind drawn to any object, think of its transitoriness, and thus try to withdraw
the mind back to the thought of God. A man was angling. A bridal party was going
along the road with music. But the angler's eye remained fixed on the float.
The mind of a spiritual aspirant should be steadfast like that."
28. "The mind is by nature restless. Therefore,
at the outset, to make the mind steady, one may practise meditation by
regulating the breathing a little. That helps to steady the mind. But one must
not overdo it. That heats the brain. You may talk of the vision of God, or of
meditation, but remember, the mind is everything. One
gets everything when the mind becomes steady."
29. "If the mind becomes quiet of itself, then
what is the need of Pranayama?"
30. Disciple: "Mother, I cannot concentrate my
mind in meditation at all,"
Mother: "It does not matter much. ... Look at the
picture of Sri Ramakrishna,
and that will be enough."
SOURCE: saradadevi.info
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